Woods Surname

The History and Significance of the Surname Woods

The surname Woods is a common surname found in various countries around the world, with its highest incidence in the United States. This surname carries a rich history and has significance that extends beyond just being a last name. In this article, we will explore the origins, distribution, and cultural relevance of the surname Woods.

Origins of the Surname Woods

The surname Woods is of English origin, deriving from the Old English word "wudu" which means "wood" or "forest." This suggests that the surname was often used to describe someone who lived near or worked in a wooded area. Over time, the surname evolved into Woods, reflecting the plural form of the word.

The earliest recorded instances of the surname Woods date back to the 13th century in England. It was common for surnames to be derived from a person's occupation, location, or physical characteristics, and the surname Woods likely followed this pattern. As such, individuals with the surname Woods may have had ancestors who were foresters, woodcutters, or simply lived near a wooded area.

Distribution of the Surname Woods

The surname Woods is most commonly found in the United States, with over 220,000 individuals bearing this last name. It is also prevalent in countries such as England, Australia, Canada, and Ireland. The distribution of the surname Woods around the world reflects the English origins of the name and the historical ties between these countries.

In England, the surname Woods is particularly common in regions such as England, Scotland, Northern Ireland, and Wales. This distribution reflects the historical population movements within the United Kingdom and the spread of the surname across different regions.

Outside of the United Kingdom, the surname Woods can be found in countries such as Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and Canada. These countries have historical connections to England and share a common language, which may explain the prevalence of the surname Woods in these regions.

Cultural Significance of the Surname Woods

Beyond its historical origins and distribution, the surname Woods carries cultural significance for individuals who bear this last name. Many individuals take pride in their surnames and may feel a connection to their ancestral roots and heritage through their last name.

For some, the surname Woods may represent a link to nature and the outdoors, reflecting a family history of working in forestry or living in wooded areas. This connection to nature can be a source of pride and identity for individuals with the surname Woods.

Additionally, the surname Woods may have symbolic meaning for individuals, representing strength, resilience, and growth. The image of a forest can evoke feelings of mystery, beauty, and endurance, which may resonate with those who bear the surname Woods.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the surname Woods is a common surname with English origins that is found in various countries around the world. Its historical ties to forestry and wooded areas, as well as its distribution in countries with English heritage, make the surname Woods a significant and culturally rich last name. For individuals who bear this surname, it may represent a connection to nature, strength, and family heritage.

The surname Woods into the world

Globalization has meant that surnames spread far beyond their nation of origin, such that it is possible to locate African surnames in Europe or Indian surnames in Oceania. Similar takes place when it comes to Woods, which as you are able to corroborate, it may be stated that it's a surname which can be present in the majority of the nations for the world. Just as there are countries by which definitely the density of people aided by the surname Woods is more than far away.

The map for the Woods surname

View Woods surname map

The possibility of examining for a world map about which countries hold more Woods in the world, assists us a whole lot. By placing ourselves on the map, on a concrete nation, we can start to see the concrete number of people utilizing the surname Woods, to have in this way the particular information of all of the Woods you could currently get in that nation. All of this additionally helps us to comprehend not merely where the surname Woods comes from, but also in what manner the people who are originally area of the household that bears the surname Woods have relocated and relocated. In the same way, you'll be able to see in which places they've settled and developed, which is the reason why if Woods is our surname, it seems interesting to which other countries of this world it will be possible that certain of our ancestors once relocated to.

Countries with more Woods on earth

  1. United States United States (221114)
  2. England England (39132)
  3. Australia Australia (20300)
  4. Canada Canada (13645)
  5. Ireland Ireland (5164)
  6. Scotland Scotland (3230)
  7. New Zealand New Zealand (3050)
  8. Nothern Ireland Nothern Ireland (2967)
  9. South Africa South Africa (2504)
  10. Wales Wales (1562)
  11. Liberia Liberia (1211)
  12. Kenya Kenya (801)
  13. Trinidad and Tobago Trinidad and Tobago (611)
  14. Honduras Honduras (489)
  15. Bahamas Bahamas (403)
  16. Germany Germany (324)
  17. Spain Spain (306)
  18. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (281)
  19. Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia (276)
  20. Singapore Singapore (245)
  21. Nigeria Nigeria (218)
  22. France France (185)
  23. Brazil Brazil (153)
  24. Russia Russia (143)
  25. Argentina Argentina (137)
  26. Zimbabwe Zimbabwe (109)
  27. India India (108)
  28. Malta Malta (108)
  29. Netherlands Netherlands (107)
  30. Philippines Philippines (107)
  31. Dominican Republic Dominican Republic (100)
  32. Isle of Man Isle of Man (98)
  33. Denmark Denmark (85)
  34. Qatar Qatar (85)
  35. Panama Panama (79)
  36. Belgium Belgium (78)
  37. Saint Kitts and Nevis Saint Kitts and Nevis (73)
  38. Bermuda Bermuda (73)
  39. Belize Belize (73)
  40. Norway Norway (71)
  41. Kuwait Kuwait (65)
  42. Japan Japan (64)
  43. Bahrain Bahrain (59)
  44. Portugal Portugal (57)
  45. U.S. Virgin Islands U.S. Virgin Islands (51)
  46. Cayman Islands Cayman Islands (51)
  47. Sweden Sweden (51)
  48. Nicaragua Nicaragua (44)
  49. Switzerland Switzerland (43)
  50. Iraq Iraq (37)
  51. Jamaica Jamaica (36)
  52. Jersey Jersey (32)
  53. Ecuador Ecuador (32)
  54. Malaysia Malaysia (28)
  55. Mexico Mexico (27)
  56. Italy Italy (26)
  57. Iceland Iceland (24)
  58. Cyprus Cyprus (21)
  59. Anguilla Anguilla (21)
  60. Austria Austria (20)
  61. Hungary Hungary (16)
  62. Israel Israel (16)
  63. Madagascar Madagascar (16)
  64. Guam Guam (16)
  65. Thailand Thailand (16)
  66. United Arab Emirates United Arab Emirates (13)
  67. Barbados Barbados (13)
  68. Uganda Uganda (12)
  69. Afghanistan Afghanistan (12)
  70. Estonia Estonia (12)
  71. Guatemala Guatemala (12)
  72. Taiwan Taiwan (10)
  73. Oman Oman (10)
  74. British Virgin Islands British Virgin Islands (10)
  75. Zambia Zambia (10)
  76. Chile Chile (9)
  77. Indonesia Indonesia (9)
  78. Antigua and Barbuda Antigua and Barbuda (9)
  79. Finland Finland (9)
  80. South Korea South Korea (9)
  81. Poland Poland (7)
  82. Kazakhstan Kazakhstan (7)
  83. Belarus Belarus (7)
  84. Czech Republic Czech Republic (6)
  85. American Samoa American Samoa (6)
  86. Cambodia Cambodia (6)
  87. Gibraltar Gibraltar (6)
  88. Northern Mariana Islands Northern Mariana Islands (6)
  89. Pakistan Pakistan (5)
  90. Cameroon Cameroon (4)
  91. Morocco Morocco (4)
  92. Sudan Sudan (4)
  93. Montserrat Montserrat (4)
  94. Cook Islands Cook Islands (3)
  95. Turkey Turkey (3)
  96. Namibia Namibia (3)
  97. Papua New Guinea Papua New Guinea (3)
  98. Puerto Rico Puerto Rico (3)
  99. Colombia Colombia (2)
  100. Costa Rica Costa Rica (2)
  101. Nepal Nepal (2)
  102. Armenia Armenia (2)
  103. Peru Peru (2)
  104. Azerbaijan Azerbaijan (2)
  105. Saint Lucia Saint Lucia (2)
  106. Romania Romania (2)
  107. Solomon Islands Solomon Islands (2)
  108. Macedonia Macedonia (2)
  109. Greece Greece (2)
  110. Croatia Croatia (2)
  111. Tonga Tonga (1)
  112. Mozambique Mozambique (1)
  113. Tanzania Tanzania (1)
  114. Andorra Andorra (1)
  115. Ukraine Ukraine (1)
  116. Venezuela Venezuela (1)
  117. Albania Albania (1)
  118. Algeria Algeria (1)
  119. Samoa Samoa (1)
  120. French Polynesia French Polynesia (1)
  121. Fiji Fiji (1)
  122. Bulgaria Bulgaria (1)
  123. Benin Benin (1)
  124. Grenada Grenada (1)
  125. Luxembourg Luxembourg (1)
  126. Serbia Serbia (1)
  127. Georgia Georgia (1)
  128. Latvia Latvia (1)
  129. Brunei Brunei (1)
  130. Guernsey Guernsey (1)
  131. Moldova Moldova (1)
  132. Guinea Guinea (1)
  133. Botswana Botswana (1)
  134. Seychelles Seychelles (1)
  135. Guinea-Bissau Guinea-Bissau (1)
  136. Mauritius Mauritius (1)
  137. El Salvador El Salvador (1)
  138. Maldives Maldives (1)
  139. Ivory Coast Ivory Coast (1)